Linden police break up Honda chop shop

LINDEN – Four men have been arrested in connection with the alleged operation of a Honda chop shop in which stolen vehicles were dumped on residential streets stripped of their engine and other parts.

Police became aware of a operation involving several stolen Honda vehicle left on residential streets on the east side of the city, without engines and other parts and knew a chop shop probably was nearby.

Last week, a police sergeant responded to a car fire at the Storage Post, 401 S. Park Ave., and saw several men working on a Honda. He thought it was suspicious and told his officers to keep a check on the business.

At about 7 p.m. Sunday, Officer Juan Velarde was patrolling the Storage Post when he saw four men dismantling a Honda in one of two storage units. He called for additional officers and a detective and discovered two Hondas with altered serial numbers, both of which were stolen from Rahway. They also recovered a stolen Honda engine from Orange County, Fla. The four men told police they were part of a Honda car club.

The four men were arrested and charged with receiving stolen property. Additional charges are expected as part of the continuing investigation. Detectives are in the process of conducting an inventory of the numerous cars recovered in the two storage units.

Arrested were Collins K. Kusi, 23, and Julian D. Ospina, 19, both of Roselle, Juan C. Cedeno-Gutierrez, 22, of Elizabeth, and Donell McMillian, 18, of Linden. Each is being held on $50,000 bail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Matt Damatta at 908-474-8538.

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